An interventional study of Low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy and Selective physical therapy program in Bell Palsy, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 45 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-22.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study aims to investigate the effect of low energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy on patients with Bell's palsy.
Bell's palsy may range in severity from near-normal facial function to crippling facial disfigurement. It severity has been recognized to influence patient perceived quality of life to varying degrees. It yields myriad deficits affecting form and function. It can be a devastating and disfiguring condition, leading to psychological difficulties and restrictions of facial expressions, and may have a dramatic impact on interpersonal relationships. Facial nerve paralysis (FNP) often causes decreased quality of life and may lead to significant facial dysfunction. It is a health issue causing concern and has an extremely negative effect on both patients and their families. Main goals of treatment are to speed recovery, to make recovery more complete, to prevent corneal complications and other sequelae, and to inhibit viral replication. Psychological support is also essential. Patients require regular follow ups. Patients with Bell's palsy should be referred to a specialist and treatment should start as soon after onset as possible. In recent studies on peripheral nerves injuries, Low energy extracorporeal shock wave is a new tool for management. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy not only used in (urinary stone lithotripsy treatment, in the musculoskeletal field (lateral and medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, and bony union after fracture), muscle rigidity, muscular pain, knee degenerative arthritis, and lymphedema), but also used in regeneration of peripheral nerves. It causes molecular and biological changes, in addition to mechanical and physical stimulation. So in this study, we aim to determine the effect of low energy extracorporeal shock wave on Bell's palsy patients.
85 studies on the registry are indexed under Bell Palsy; 30 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is close to the median of 42 across 70 interventional studies indexed under Bell Palsy.
Browse Bell Palsy studies →Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,941 studies on the registry; 1,458 are open to participants now.
Of its 37 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
This group will receive low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy in addition to a selective physical therapy program (therapeutic exercise plus massage), 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Device: Low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy · Other: Selective physical therapy program
This group will receive a selective physical therapy program (therapeutic exercise plus massage), 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Other: Selective physical therapy program
Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive low-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LE-ESWT) using a shockwave device set at a frequency of 10 Hz, energy intensity of 2.5, and a total dose of 2500 shockwaves per session. The treatment will be delivered to two sites along the facial nerve pathway, including the stylomastoid foramen (500 shockwaves) and a point located 1 cm anterior to the ear (2000 shockwaves). Each session will be administered for approximately 15 minutes throughout the intervention period.
Participants will receive a standardized physical therapy program including neuromuscular reeducation and massage therapy. Facial exercises will be performed in front of a mirror to improve symmetry and facial muscle control, with therapist assistance provided as needed. Massage therapy will be applied to the neck, scalp, and facial regions. Each treatment session will last approximately 30 minutes.
CMAP Amplitude Asymmetry Percentage
Facial nerve function will be assessed using nerve conduction studies (NCS). Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes will be recorded bilaterally by stimulating the facial nerve anterior to the mastoid process and recording responses from the nasalis muscle. The percentage of CMAP amplitude asymmetry between the affected and unaffected sides will be calculated as \[(CMAP amplitude affected side - CMAP amplitude unaffected side)/CMAP amplitude unaffected side\] × 100. Lower asymmetry values will indicate improved facial nerve conduction and recovery. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the treatment program.
Time frame: 6 weeks
House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading Scale
Facial function will be evaluated using the House-Brackmann (HB) Facial Nerve Grading Scale, a validated six-grade clinical assessment tool ranging from Grade I (normal facial function) to Grade VI (total facial paralysis). The scale assesses facial symmetry at rest and voluntary facial movements, providing an overall measure of facial nerve dysfunction severity. Lower HB grades will indicate better facial function and recovery. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and following completion of the treatment program.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Start is estimated for Jun 2026; primary completion for Sep 2026, 3 months later.
Of 38 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Bell Palsy, half reached primary completion within 9 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 25. This study's planned 3 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 40 studies reached it within 10 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 21.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.